Bella’s had two days off now, although today I made an appearance at the barn and kept order. A new man has moved in with three horses, one of which is a Gypsy Vanner! He has an incredibly gorgeous forelock, and overall is a very nice horse. All the current horses were a welcoming committee, and Bella was very curious about what was going on.

However in other news, I discovered and have settled on a date to view a small boarding facility much closer to my house and almost half the price. Very excited! I hope it works out as it would make everything loads easier on me and ultimately would benefit Bella. Sorry not much of an update, but I’ll include some photos.

Well, lunging is not going as I had hoped. But it could be worse, and I have actually noted an improvement so those are a few pluses. It will be better once she calms down and accepts the tack and how the girth feels at all gaits, and consistency at the aids on a round circle both ways. She responds much more sharply than before to the lunge whip, but still could use some fine tuning. She also overreacts to the whip but hopefully that will change with repetition. She is starting to associate clucking with moving forward so this is a good sign, as when I sat on her before she had no idea of the concept of “go”. She is very comfortable with anything on her at the stand and walk, but trot and canter she tries to fight the sensation of the girth tightening on her which she just has to get over on her own. This saddle fits her the best so no more excuses, plus the girth is cushy and has elastic so I know it has adequate give. She will also be accustomed and desensitized to clanging stirrup irons on her sides, hehe. On another positive note she is bridling magnificently. She willingly takes the bit, no fuss, and allows me to adjust the bridle and caveson accordingly. Soon I will slowly start sensitizing her to bit pressure. I have also noted an improvement in her leading, she seems much more attentive and sensitive in responding to pressure from me. I also have plans of, after mastering lunging, invest in a quality elasticized training surcingle, and a pair of long driving reins. If season goes well, maybe also a real harness and the ability to hook her up to a fake hitch. Who knows. I’m still uncertain as to whether I want to keep her as my horse or just try to resell her after training, once again time will tell.

On another note, here are a few photos taken from my camera with the new memory card. I swear the quality of the pictures is different, the old card was only 128MB SanDisk and when a video was shot it was terrible; along with a clicking noise. With this 4GB Sony memory SD/SDHC card pictures seem crisper and more contrasted. All are unedited, any comments? Not sure if it’s an improvement or not on the photos, but definitely is with the video. I can record a half hour of 30 fps 640 x 420 video. Nice!

So so sorry no pictures =(! Yesterday Mike finally had off the same time I did, so we went out to the barn to see how she would handle a person on her back while being lead around. I swear she’s done all this before, she didn’t bat an eye the entire time! I tacked her up western for a bit added “security”, and used a side pull. She stood still at the mounting block while I got on and off, and walked lazily around the arena with Mike leading her. She did great. Today I was curious to see how she would do with just me, I can mount and dismount no problems other than she may be a little sensitize when I get on. However, I’m not very confident that the western saddle fits her the best, but it’ll do for now in these very preliminary stages. Despite how good she is on the ground, she did not understand the concept of walking when I am in the saddle, lol. I will halt the “riding” sessions for the time being and focus more on lunge work, but she has officially been saddled and mounted with a rider. Even though it wasn’t much, I have to say it feels so great being on a horse again.

So no up to date pictures!! =( However I may have a few from the most recent that are of viewing quality. Unfortunately also I have not been able to work a lot with Bella recently due to serious car troubles and a busy work/life schedule between me and my boyfriend Mike and trying to find ways to get around. However now a vehicle is fixed and totally drivable so that will change very soon! My last impressionable lesson I actually tacked her up in western with absolutely ZERO issues, and mounted via a mounting block a few times while Mike held her. She didn’t even care! I think soon I will ask someone to lead her while I’m on her. I hope that goes well lol!

Expect more recurrent updates now that things are starting to get into gear. Until next time..

Uhg! SO I only have a few minutes to leave an update, so I will try to summarize as best as possible. Basically we had internet issues and now have a new provider via mobile broadband. Mike and I have both been busy working, so it has been pretty chill as far as training goes. Slower the better! She is such a great horse and I am glad to have her. I have sat on her but not officially ridden, she has also been tacked up western with no issues. I have decided I am going to spend the beginning of her riding training with a side pull, as she did great in the one I have.

As expected! She does not seem to really like the bit, but takes it willingly. The cob sized bridle just fits her, I may have to punch a few holes in it.

Today Bella had for whatever reason, became extremely excited about horses in the neighboring pasture and ran into the fence. The fencing here is like a rectangular wire.. I did not see it but heard it, I think she was running too fast and went to stop, and slid into the fence. She has some scrapes, but nothing serious. The worse thing is some skin missing in her stifle area. She immediately jogged off afterwards like “oh! That hurt. And was stupid. See I’m ok I’m fine nothing happened!” lol. She also did not appear to have any sort of hitch to her gait, so I this erased any definite injuries out. I’ll look at her tomorrow and see if there’s any heat or swelling. I highly doubt there will be, but I will just double check. She seemed unrattled by the event, she did calm down after it and hopefully will remember this lesson!

So today I finally received Bella’s new bridle, bit and standing martingale. After debating over a couple different products and suppliers, I ended up going a more economy route and got the most for my money at Chick’s Saddlery. They have a LOT of discounted stuff, and I really love the new bridle I bought. I was worried at first because the picture looks “fake” and doesn’t show you how it really looks, and seeing that it was only like $21.. I was prepared for a lot worse lol! It actually is very nice, it’s a nice havana brown color and the first thing I noticed; don’t laugh, is the SMELL. It smells, SO good! It obviously is oiled prior to purchase, the leather feels pretty nice, and the rich smell of oiled bridlery is very prominent. The hardware doesn’t seem the greatest, but overall it is a very nice bridle, and will fit any budget. It also comes with braided leather reins, which further reminds me to get a move on getting another pair of gloves.

I also decided to make Bella’s first bit a french link eggbutt. I also had to order a new aforementioned bridle in Cob size because her head is too dainty for my full size horse bridles. The bit was on discount for $15, it seems of good quality. I however do not like the standing martingale I received, it is VERY bulky and the leather is stiff; doesn’t feel oiled or as well quality as even the bridle. It is made by Silver Fox, not a fan at all! I am probably going to return the martingale before the end of the week.

Overall, I feel the bridle would’ve been worth it, but I also won on the bit too. Tomorrow we will see how she takes to having a bridle put on. It will probably be pretty uneventful.

As a reminder everyone about how awesome Thoroughbreds are… my boyfriend who is NOT horse savvy at all, was able to go out to the barn while I was at work, put her halter on, lead her to a paddock, remove the halter, and then after cleaning her stall get her to come back over to him so he could put the halter back on and take her in. He also put her in the cross ties and brushed her mane, forelock and body. He wasn’t brave enough to pick the hooves, but I think it says a lot about how she is being a 2 year old horse who hasn’t even been ridden. I really am looking forward to training this filly, and things like this remind me of my expectations.

Good night for now, I’m sure an update will ensue tomorrow with news on how the bridling went. I also may start lunging with the saddle on, at a walk of course. Tomorrow will tell!